Before we begin learning how to teach students with emotional impairments, we need to educate ourselves on what exactly an emotional impairment is...
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines an emotional disturbance (ED) as the following:
“...a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child’s educational performance:
An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.
An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.
Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.
A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.
A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems."
The Pacer Center in Minnesota, is a Parent Training and Information Center funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs. Although most of their work is geared toward parents, they offer a wealth of knowledge for new teachers who are wanting to learn about what an emotional impairment is. Click on the link to read a Pacer Center Information Sheet titled "What is an Emotional or Behavioral Disorder".
The National Dissemination Center for Students with Disabilities created a fact sheet on Emotional Disturbances in 2010, which brings current information on the impairment to us. They give us a definition, characteristics, causes, frequency, help for students, a breakdown of specific emotional disturbances and the importance of support for these students. This is a really great fact sheet that can easily be referred back to throughout a new teacher's career. Emotional Disturbance Fact Sheet
Before we begin learning how to teach students with emotional impairments, we need to educate ourselves on what exactly an emotional impairment is...
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines an emotional disturbance (ED) as the following:
“...a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child’s educational performance:
An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.
An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.
Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.
A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.
A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems."
The Pacer Center in Minnesota, is a Parent Training and Information Center funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs. Although most of their work is geared toward parents, they offer a wealth of knowledge for new teachers who are wanting to learn about what an emotional impairment is. Click on the link to read a Pacer Center Information Sheet titled "What is an Emotional or Behavioral Disorder".
The National Dissemination Center for Students with Disabilities created a fact sheet on Emotional Disturbances in 2010, which brings current information on the impairment to us. They give us a definition, characteristics, causes, frequency, help for students, a breakdown of specific emotional disturbances and the importance of support for these students. This is a really great fact sheet that can easily be referred back to throughout a new teacher's career. Emotional Disturbance Fact Sheet